US College Education

Students first need to figure out what they love to do and select their occupations based on their motivated abilities defined as things you are good at and love to do.  Most 18 year olds are clueless and believe any major will prepare them to earn a living and this is not true.

Students with very high academic skills will have the best chance to earn the degrees they need to enter very high paying professions.  These are usually students who were at the top of their class in high school and scored very high on their SATs. To be happy and successful in their careers they will have to love what they do and do it extremely well.

They have the best chance of being admitted to Medical School. They will also have the best chance of entering and doing well in the best Engineering Schools. Some Top Students will be drawn to other occupations.

Students who choose occupational degrees will have the best chance of being able to repay their student loans. This includes students who become Engineers, Registered Nurses, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Dental Hygienists, IT Analysts, Math Majors and other professions that pay over $40,000 per year. These folks will normally need BS degrees, except RNs and Dental Hygienists who hold 4 year Associate Degrees. Most of these jobs require learning applied physics, chemistry and math.

The next group includes Teachers, Accountants, Business Majors and other professions that pay over $30,000 per year.

An Associate Degree in Electronics, Auto Mechanics and other professions that pay over $30,000 per year

Students who have BS degrees in History, English, Economics, Biology and other academic subjects will need to make their way into a profession somehow, but it often takes an MS degree to do that. They also find themselves hired into Analyst jobs in multiple industries and they learn these industries and the technology used in these industries.

Those who major in Marketing, Communications and Journalism may find jobs in Advertising in Marketing Departments or as Technical Writers.

Students who have BS degrees in Diversity, Women’s Studies, Black Studies, Political Science and other non-occupational degrees are in trouble if the non-profits lose their government funding.

Student who have BS degrees in Environmental Science, Oceanography, Geology and similar Majors are facing a limited number of jobs and locations.

Students who have BS degrees in Criminal Justice need to also go to the Police Academy before they can become Police Officers.

There are some fields of study that sound like hobbies, but they can be turned into occupations.  If you have what artists call “the eye”, you might be drawn to a degree in Fine Arts. “The Eye” is needed in photography, videography, motion picture camera operation, painting, computer graphics, design and cartooning. If you are drawn to Art History, you could become an Art Conservator, work in an Art Gallery or Museum or become a Tour Director.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader